Centrifugal pump.



UNITED PATENT OFFICE.

OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

CENTRIFUGAL' PUMP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct., 1, 1907.

Application filed April 22, 1905. Serial No. 266,900.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES A. F'RAYER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Centrifugal Pumps, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to centrifugal pumps adapted for hydraulic dredges and especially to the means provided for keeping the runner free from grit and at the same time maintain a balance of end thrust upon the runner. I

The accompanying drawing shows a vertical section of the improved pump.

-A casing 1 is provided having the usual inlet op'ening 2 and tangential discharge outlet, -not shown. The casing-is provided with an opening 3 and stufling box 4 opposite the inletopening 2, for the shaft 5. On the shaft 5 and within the casing 1 is mounted a runner 6 having vanes 7 and sides 8. The inside of the casing 1 is formed with recesses -9 bounded by adjustable packing rings l0, 11, which are set out to the desired extent towards annular projections l2, 13, on the outer sides of the runner by set screws 14'. Annular chainbers 15'are thus provided with which communicate pipes 16 leading from a common union l7.

The union 17 is connected to a source of clear water of high pressure in excess of the discharge pressure of the pump. This excess pressure in-the annular cham hers 15 causes a radial flow therefrom inward through the annular passages opposite the annular projections l2, and outward through those opposite annular projections 13. Such action produces films of high pressure clear water at these projections 12, l3 and provides a frictionless bearing for the runner, The water escaping from annular chambers 15 passesat the center of the pump into the inlet end of the runner through suitably provided openings, and at the periphery into the discharge chamber 18.

The annular chambers 15 being coextensive radially and being subject to the same excess pressure, provide a means for balancing the runner axially, except for the area of the shaft section which is subject to atmospheric pressure on one end and inlet pressure on the other. This might be compensated for by using a 'downwardly extending inlet elbow and extending the inner end of shaft 5 themthrough. Or else the chamber 15 on the inlet side of the pump might extend radially a little in excess of opposite chamber 15 In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire it to be understood that the apparatus shown is merely illustrative and that the invention can be carried out by other means.

What I claim is:

1. In a centrifugal pump, the combination of a casing, a runner therein, chambers for liquid under pressure exceeding pump pressure on opposite sides of the runners between it and the casing, and discharge passages from the chamber adjacent the axis and periphery of the runner, whereby balancing of the runner is ma ntained and the runner is kept free from grit.

2. In a centrifugal pump, a casing, a runner therein, excess pressure chambers between the casing and runner and having outer and inner outlets, and means for adjusting-the outlet passages from the chambers.

3. In a centrifugal pump, a casing, a runner therein, balanced excess pressure chambers between the casing and runner and having outer and inner outlets, and rings for adjusting the outlet passages from the chambers.

In testimony whereof I all'lx my. signature in presence of. two witnesses.

CHARLES A. FRAYER.

Witnesses:

M. W. BARB. L. P. MARTIN. 

